By Erewunmi Peace

Renowned legal icon and educationist, Afe Babalola, has called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to take decisive action against substandard and illegal private universities operating in Nigeria. The call was made in a recent statement highlighting the growing concern over the proliferation of institutions that fail to meet required academic standards.

Babalola warned that many private universities are operating without proper accreditation or adequate infrastructure, potentially undermining the quality of higher education in the country. He urged the NUC to shut down illegal institutions and prosecute their proprietors to prevent further compromise of academic standards.

Highlighting his own institution, Afe Babalola University, Ado‑Ekiti (ABUAD), as a benchmark for quality education, Babalola pointed to facilities such as a teaching hospital, industrial park, and well-equipped lecture halls, emphasizing that private universities must adhere to similar standards.

“The NUC must enforce its accreditation regulations strictly. No institution should be allowed to award degrees without meeting the minimum standards,” Babalola said.

Education analysts have echoed Babalola’s concerns, noting that unregulated private universities can produce graduates who are ill-prepared for professional challenges, thereby harming both students and the nation’s workforce.

The NUC has periodically announced crackdowns on illegal universities, but Babalola’s remarks underscore the need for sustained vigilance and stricter enforcement to maintain the integrity of Nigerian higher education.